Kyle Eastwood grew up in Carmel, California, the eldest son of actor Clint Eastwood.
As a child he listened to records of jazz stars such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Miles Davis playing in the house. His father had been attending the Monterey Jazz Festival since it began in 1958 and when his children were born it became a yearly family outing. Kyle’s childhood had jazz as its soundtrack and he credits his father with introducing him to the joys of the bass line.
Toured the globe
Since signing to Candid Records in 2004, Kyle has toured extensively around the world. In March this year he will tour the USA, ending with a short residency at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York, before coming to the UK to perform a few dates over here.
The music resonates with swing, groove and funk overtones; “My roots remain in jazz but I like adding all kinds of different flavours” said Kyle.
Acclaimed composer and respected musician
As well as playing Jazz, Kyle is also an acclaimed composer who has contributed music to eight of his father’s films including Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby and Gran Torino.
Today Kyle Eastwood is less the son of Clint and more of a universally respected musician and leader in his own right.
Forefront of the contemporary scene
A virtuoso bassist on electric and upright as well as a talented composer with a keen ear for great tunes as well as the subtleties of modern jazz, he is right at the forefront of the contemporary scene, having chosen to immerse himself in the music he loves.
With this new album, the view from here, Kyle set out to capture the sounds and energy with which his band regularly tours the world to sell-out crowds.
Kyle Eastwood is joined by his long-time band featuring pianist Andrew McCormack, saxophonist Graeme Blevins, trumpeter Quentin Collins, and drummer Martyn Kaine.
“Eastwood’s music is all about style” (Jazzwise)
“Thoughtful, contemplative, admirably understated and highly listenable.” (Evening Standard)
“Kyle Eastwood’s band are a hot live act. Driven by Eastwood’s bass guitar they inject life into audiences, getting them moving and grooving”(BBC Music Online)
“Very sharp work. There’s no denying Kyle has imagination and skill” (The Observer)
The Kyle Eastwood band play the Isle of Arts Festival Friday 2nd May from 8.45pm in the Festival Marquee – Tickets £18 and can be booked through the Isle of Arts Festival Website.
Our thanks to the Isle of Arts Festival for sponsoring this feature. Please support them, as they and other businesses taking paid promotion enables you to continue reading OnTheWight for free.
